Colorado

Smack dab in the middle of "fly-over country," my home state Colorado is often derided as a cultural wasteland by snootier members of The Clock. While this opinion couldn't be further from the truth, recent stories in the Denver Post won't help me make my case (though I believe they all beg the question, Summit, anyone?):

Frozen Dead Guy's Fame Still Hot
Exactly 20 years ago, the body of Norwegian Bredo Morstol arrived in Nederland, where his grandson had hoped to open a cryonics facility. The facility never happened, but "Granpa Bredo," a.k.a. The Frozen Dead Guy, stayed behind — on dry ice in a local shed. ... He is the town's adopted son and top celebrity, featured on "The Tonight Show" in 2004 as Colorado's most interesting person. Morstol also is the namesake of the annual Frozen Dead Guy Days, which draws tens of thousands of people to this mountain town of 400 each March. "He's been a real good sport and given us a reason for a winter carnival," said local bookstore owner Kimba Stefane, president of the Nederland Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's a nice way for our small town to have a Day of the Dead, to laugh in the face of death a little bit."

No observances were planned this week, she said, but committees are busy picking a T-shirt design, lining up sponsors and musical acts and other preparations for the next Frozen Dead Guy Days, March 5-7.

Denver's Gorilla Run sets world record
More than 1,000 people in gorilla suits crammed streets and bike paths in [Denver neighborhood] LoDo Saturday morning, setting a Guiness [sic] World Record for the most people dressed as gorillas in one location. The 1,061 simulated simians were participating in the 6th annual Denver Gorilla Run, a 3.5-mile charity run/walk to help mountain gorilla conservation.

Saturday's run cost $99.95 for first-time participants to sign up — but came with a gorilla suit that runners got to keep. It followed a course through LoDo that began and ended at the Wynkoop Brewing Co. The fastest runner finished in 22 minutes, according to race organizers.











A new Scots-themed establishment in downtown Denver
Friday's lunch rush was in full swing at the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery... and Kelly Bentley was bustling in a tartan costume that covered about as much skin as a plaid bikini.

"How's the burger?" Bentley, a striking brunette, asked a businessman dining at her packed bar. "Who cares?" he replied. His gaze wasn't fixed on her eyes.

The Tilted Kilt is coming on strong, with plans to open seven more regional outlets in the next three years... The chain debuted in Las Vegas in 2003. Nationwide, nearly 30 stores have opened in the past two years. Another 70 are on the drawing board.

But the wink-nudge quotient is overt, more so than Hooters, the almost quaintly risque franchise that still tries to convince folks they're all about owls... Tilted Kilt waitress costumes are skimpy. The plunging tops contain the young women about as well as a Dixie cup holds a pint of Guinness... As for the wee kilts' low-rise waistbands? Let's just say that if you superimposed a Tilted Kilt waitress on a world map, the kilt's top would flirt with the Brazilian border... Male waiters wear standard, knee-length kilts.

"We call these places 'breastaurants,' " said John Imbergamo, a veteran Denver restaurant consultant. "Everyone is trying to find the unique ingredient that drives sales and it's not enough to sell the biggest beer or the hottest wings." The Kilt's menu... include(s) Big Arse burgers and Fat Bastard's Meatloaf Sandwich.

...Waitresses are encouraged to sit down and chat up customers in the hopes of currying repeat visits. Their outfits are not for everybody — or every body — and prospective waitstaff must audition in the kilts... A recent afternoon found attorney John Lubitz all but agog... "This is the greatest restaurant," he said. "I've been here two days in a row. I love it."